Perspectives on the elimination of animal assays in the assessment of carcinogenicity

•Carcinogenicity assays are pushed for drastically shifting from animal studies to in vitro and in silico tests.•In this commentary, some issues that need to be addressed before such drastic shifts are implemented are described.•Animal models still remain essential for the identification and study of potential carcinogens.•Gradual elimination of animal studies may be inevitable, but rapid changes to policy must be avoided.•Besides improved in vitro or in silico methods, more holistic approaches with animal tests should be urgently needed.